The Carnival Triumph was towed into Mobile Bay, Ala., on Feb. 14, 2013, after an engine fire disabled the cruise ship for five days. / Dave Martin, AP

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

The star-crossed Carnival Triumph broke loose Wednesday from its moorings in Mobile, Ala., where the 14-story ship was being repaired after its notorious nightmare cruise in February.

There were unconfirmed reports that workers may have been thrown into the water about 2 p.m.

Carnival said that strong winds caused to break its moorings. "The ship drifted and is currently resting against a cargo vessel," the company's statement said.

The National Weather recorded wind gusts of 41 mph about an hour before the accident.

The 900-foot-long ship suffered a hole on the right side of the stern, WKRG-TV reported. The Mobile Press-Register says that the bow also appears to be damaged.

Tow boats were working to return the ship to BAE Ship Systems, where it was being repaired after an engine fire knocked out power and stranded 4,200 passengers and crew members for five days in the Gulf of Mexico.